1.1 While under construction, the facade of such structure is not enclosed. In such case:

1.1.1 Horizontal safety netting shall be provided pursuant to Section [C26-1901.5] 27 - 1021 (a) (6) and Rule 5.3.

1.1.2 Vertical safety netting shall be provided pursuant to Section [C26-1901.5] 27-1021 (a) (7) and rule 6.4.

1.2 When demolishing the exterior walls or roof of a structure. In such case:

1.2.1 Horizontal safety netting shall be provided pursuant to Section [C-26-1901 6] 27 - 1022 (a) (1) and Rule 5.3.2.

1.3 when exterior walls are being constructed. In such case:

1.3.1 Horizontal safety netting shall be provided pursuant to Section [C26-1901 6] 27-1022 (a) (2) and rule 5.3.3.

2.1 Debris Netting. Debris netting means netting of a fine mesh of a size and strength sufficient to catch debris such as falling tools and materials.

2.2 Enclosed. It shall mean a structure is enclosed when the permanent facade is completed except for the windows.

2.2.1 Such windows shall be protected to a height specified in Rule 6.3 unless there is a sill not less than two feet-six inches in height, and vertical mullions or piers with a maximum opening of five feet and a non-corrosive wire cable which is capable of withstanding a load of at least two hundred pounds applied in any direction (except upward).

2.2.2 Exposure to the public or adjacent property. Exposure to the public or adjacent property refers to any unenclosed facade of a structure which is opposite a street, public way or other open areas intended to public use, or which is opposite any side or rear lot line.

2.3 Horizontal safety netting. Horizontal safety netting means a horizontal system of nets and their supports, as cited and modified in Building Code Reference Standard RS 19-4.

2.3.1 Horizontal safety netting shall include a structural net lined with a debris net of a size and strength sufficient to catch falling tools and materials.

2.4 Protected. It shall mean a structure is protected when there is temporary vertical netting.

2.4.1 Public or adjacent property. Protected as used herein in relation to public or adjacent property shall mean as required by Article seven of Subchapter three of Title twenty-six of the Administrative Code.

2.5 Structural netting. Structural netting means a system of nets capable of complying with the prototype test described in Section seven of Reference Standard RS 19-4.

2.6 Qualified person. A qualified person means a person trained and qualified in a manner satisfactory to the holder of the work permit.

2.7 Vertical safety netting. Vertical safety netting means a vertical system of nets and their supports, as cited and modified in Building Code Reference Standard RS 19-4.

2.7.1 Vertical safety netting shall be of a fine mesh of a size and strength sufficient to contain falling tools and materials.

2.7.2 Wall opening screens, grills or tarpaulins may be used in lieu of vertical safety netting, provided that they shall be structurally equivalent and of such construction and mounting installed so as to retain debris.

3.1 Structural net hardware shall be drop forged, pressed or formed steel or material of equal or better quality. Surfaces shall be smooth and free of sharp edges. All hardware shall have a corrosion resistant finish capable of withstanding a fifty hour salt spray test in accordance with ASTM B-1117.

3.2 Identification of nets. Each structural net shall be permanently labeled with the following information:

1) Name of manufacturer
2) Identification of net material
3) Date of manufacturer
4) Date of prototype test
5) Name of testing agency
6) Serial number

3.3 Inspection. Structural nets, including mesh ropes, hardware, connectors, suspension systems, shall be completely inspected by the manufacturer or manufacturer's representative or other qualified person after each installation. Additional inspections shall be made after relocation, alterations, repair, impact loading and welding or cutting operations above the nets.

3.3.1 Nets that show mildew, wear, damage or deterioration that substantially affects their strength shall be immediately removed from service and replaced.

3.4 Records to be maintained.

3.4.1 An on-the-job up to date record shall be maintained for the structural portion of each horizontal net. The record shall include the following information:
Net serial number
Date installed
Dates inspected and all removal orders, per section 3.3.1.
The qualified person responsible for the nets shall initial each entry.
The information required by this rule shall be recorded as part of the Site Safety Log, where such log is required.

3.4.2 A letter or other documentation from the manufacturer stating the description, model or serial number of all vertical netting shall be kept posted until all such netting is removed.

3.5 Care, maintenance and storage.

3.5.1 Care, maintenance and storage of nets shall be in accordance with the net manufacturer's recommendations with due attention being given to the factors affecting net life.

3.5.2 Debris shall be removed from nets at least daily.

3.5.3 Nets shall be capable of a minimum service life of two years under normal on-the-job exposure to weather, sunlight and handling, excluding damage from misuse, mishandling and exposure to chemicals and airborne contaminants.

3.6 Storage of materials. Safety netting shall not be used for storing materials.

3.7 Combustibility. The debris netting shall be non combust [sic] or flame resistant.

4.1 Sunlight. Ropes one-half inch in diameter and smaller shall be treated to resist damage from the sun's rays. All nets not in use should be protected from direct and indirect sunlight.

4.2 Abrasion. Dragging or chafing of nets over the ground or other rough surfaces shall be minimized in order to protect against abrasions and prolong life.

4.3 Sand. Care shall be taken to keep nets as clean and free of sand as possible.

4.4 Rust. Nets shall not be stored in metal containers that are rusty. Net hardware shall be replaced if there is evidence of heavy corrosion.

4.5 Welding and cutting operation. Nets and debris shall be protected from sparks and hot slag resulting from welding and cutting operations or other operations producing sparks or excessive heat.

5.1 Design, testing and installation requirements. Horizontal safety netting shall be designed, tested and installed in accordance with Reference Standard RS 19-4, as modified.

5.1.1 Structural mesh openings. Mesh openings should be small in order to spread the deceleration force through as many net strands as possible. The maximum size of mesh shall not exceed thirty-six square inches or be longer than six inches on any side measured center-to-center of mesh ropes or webbing, and center-to-center of mesh crossing. All mesh crossings shall be anchored to eliminate frictional wear and prevent enlargement of the mesh opening.

5.1.2 Debris netting openings. The largest opening are for fine mesh netting when used horizontally shall not be larger than one-half square inch.

5.1.3 Deceleration and rebound force. Design, materials and construction shall combine to produce a net which will minimize a deceleration and rebound force.

5.1.4 Connections. Connections between net panels shall develop the full strength of the net.

5.2 Projection of safety netting. Horizontal safety netting shall project outward horizontally from the edge of the floor a minimum distance of ten feet.

5.3 Locations where required.

5.3.1 Horizontal safety netting shall be maintained not more than two stories below the stripping operation floor on concrete structures of the uppermost finished (and walkable) concrete floor on steel frame structures, provided that such floor is more than six stories or seventy-five feet in height above the adjoining ground or adjoining roof level, whichever is applicable.

5.3.1.1 Stripping operation. The stripping operation on concrete structures shall not be performed more than three stories below the story being formed.

Note: Industrial Code Rule 23 of the State of New York (12 CYCRR23-2.4 (a) states:

"23-2.4 Flooring requirements in building construction. (a) Permanent flooring and skeleton steel construction in tiered buildings. - The permanent floors of such buildings or other structures shall be installed as soon as possible as the erection of structural steel members progresses. In no case shall there be more than eight stories, floors or equivalent levels or 120 feet, whichever is less, between the erection floor and the uppermost permanent floor."

5.3.1.2 Tarpaulins. When tarpaulins encase one or more floors immediately below the finished concrete floor in order to maintain temporary heat, the horizontal nets may be located no more than three floors below the finished concrete floor.

5.3.1.3 The installation of the horizontal safety nets shall not interfere with Fire Department access from the street.

5.3.2 Demolishing the exterior walls or roof of a structure. Horizontal safety netting shall be constructed and maintained not more than two stories or thirty feet below the story from which the exterior walls and roof are being removed until the demolition has progressed to within six stories or seventy-five feet of the ground or adjoining roof level.

5.3.2.1 An exterior built-up scaffold conforming to [Subarticle 1907.0] Article eight of [Article] Subchapter nineteen of the Building Code may be used in lieu of horizontal safety netting.

5.3.2.2 The horizontal safety netting or scaffolding shall be required in addition to the sidewalk sheds, fence or railings required under Section [C26-1901.5] 27-1021 of the Building Code.

5.3.3 Constructing exterior walls from a scaffold. Horizontal safety netting shall be constructed and maintained not more than two stories or thirty feet below the story from which the exterior walls are being constructed, or the bottom, outer faces and ends of the scaffold shall be enclosed with debris netting or its equivalent so as to prevent the falling of material and debris.

5.3.4 Designated crane and derrick lifting areas. THE horizontal safety netting required by Rules 5.3.1, 5.3.2 and and 5.3.3 may be omitted in designated crane and derrick lifting areas so long as it is as indicated on the crane application and on the site safety program.

5.3.5 Horizontal safety netting may be removed after the formwork for the topmost level of concrete is removed or after the topmost level of concrete for a steel building is poured.

6.1 Design and installation requirements. Vertically installed nets or screens shall be supported so as to be capable of withstanding a load of at least two hundred pounds applied at any direction (except upward).

6.2 Debris netting openings. The largest opening area for fine mesh netting when used vertically shall not be larger than one square inch.

6.2.1 Debris netting purchased prior to November 3, 1987 may be installed until January 2, 1988 and may remain for the duration of construction with openings up to five and one-half square inches. Such netting many not be used to replace tow boards as provided in Rule 6.5.

6.3 Height of safety netting. Vertical safety netting shall have a height not less than sixty inches in buildings more than six stories or seventy-five feet in height.

6.3.1 Vertical safety netting purchased prior to November 3, 1987 may be installed to a height of not less than forty-two inches until January 2, 1988 prior to which time additional netting to a height of not less than sixty inches shall be installed.

6.4 Locations where required.

6.4.1 Vertical safety netting shall be provided on the sides of a structure more than six stories or seventy-five feet in height above the adjoining ground or adjoining roof level.

6.4.2 Vertical safety netting shall be maintained at each story except at the story at grade, the story immediately above the sidewalk shed and the roof level where a parapet is installed.

6.4.2.1 Until elevator in readiness is operative for Fire Department access, such netting shall not be installed below the sixth story or seventy-five feet in height.

6.4.3 Vertical safety netting shall be secured and kept closed at all times except during actual loading operations or perimeter construction operation.

6.5 The top edge and intermediate height of nets shall be mounted securely to non-corrosive wire cable capable of withstanding a load of at least two hundred pounds applied to any direction (except upward).

6.6 Toe boards, required by subdivision (b) of Section [C26-1907.9] 27-1050, shall not be necessary if the netting is brought to deck level and securely fastened and has openings not over one inch in greatest dimension.